23 December 2024
I heard a discussion about John’s Revelation the other day, and while friendly, it pointed to an interesting phenomenon. We make our evaluations on such things based largely on what we want to happen. To consider that the days to come would happen in a different manner, that prophecy would be fulfilled contrary to our own assumptions, is preposterous to some. Such was the case of the pharisees and many others of Jesus’ day. Did anyone really consider that it was a weak, illegitimate child that would conquer the world? For that matter, did they entertain the thought that ‘conquering’ would be done in such a ‘defeated’ manner? Those things in mind, might our presumptions about the times to come be likewise awry from what will truly happen? If so, we have but one approach to our interpretations, that of humility.
That was the nature that Jesus himself approached such thoughts. Because He was fully submitted, a sign of His perfection, He could boldly say, “As I hear, I judge; and my judgment is just…” (Jn 5:30) Without the proper witnessing support, such a claim would immediately be thrown out of any court. However, there were witnesses. Those of the prophets of old were backed up by God’s own testimony at Jesus’ baptism, and by the actions that He performed. Those all bore witness to His claim on right judgment. “I seek not to do my own will, but that of the One who sent me.”
Our willfulness comes out in many ways throughout any given day, through both what we do and what we say. Both are motivated from the same source, our hearts, the most inner part of who we are. The desires that drive our daily existence, while quite normal and seemingly inconsequential, and are in need of daily submission to the Lord. We are all addicts in some fashion and need to break the cycle by seeking first His Kingdom and His Righteousness. We are to seek to do the will of the One who made us, and indeed, the One who has sent us into this world. This is no test nor re-incarnational procedure. The final judgment we come up and face is that of a loving Jesus who has bought our own freedom by His blood. We are free to do our will, all the while the Spirit woos us toward that of the Father. “As I hear, I judge.” Listening is an ability that has divinity written all over it. What other beast has such capacity to hear the voice of God. We are truly beastly when we refuse to listen.